Bibliometric analysis of the Acta Orthopaedica et Traumatologica Turcica from 2013 to 2022.

Objective: This study aimed to analyze the original articles published in Acta Orthopaedica et Traumatologica Turcica (AOTT) between 2013 and 2022 using bibliometric methods to identify their characteristics and examine the changing trends over the last 10 years.

Methods: The articles were analyzed in terms of publication year, authors, countries, affiliations, citations, study design, subspecialty of orthopedics, sample size, study outcome, presence of statistical methods, time elapsed from submission date to acceptance date, and presence of funding. Periods (2003-2012 and 2013-2022) were compared for trend analysis in the journal. Advanced bibliometric analysis was done using VOSviewer software (version 1.6.19).

Results: A total of 976 articles were included in the analysis. The journal's self-citation rate was 2.94%. Retrospective observational studies remained the most frequently published article design, as observed over 2003-2012 (n=411, 42.1%). No review articles were published in the previous period, while 35 review articles were published in this period. Publications from countries outside Türkiye exhibited a significantly higher number of case reports and reviews (P = .001), whereas articles from Türkiye had a significantly greater number of basic science and cross-sectional studies (P = .007, P=.017, respectively). Trauma (n=207), general orthopedics (n=144), and spine (n=105) were identified as the most prominent subspecialties. Spine surgery and adult reconstruction/arthroplasty publications significantly increased, while hand and microsurgery publications significantly decreased (P < .001). Article types were compared regarding citation counts, revealing that case reports and technical notes had significantly lower citation counts (P = .001). There was a significant increase observed in the number of author affiliations (n=2.57 ± 1.40) (P < .001). Management" (n=83), "fixation" (n=78), and "surgery" (n=65) were the most occurring keywords. There was a significant increase in articles with 1 or 2 authors in the latter 2017-2022 period compared to 2013-2016 (P=.001). A significant increase was observed in publications from private clinics and other clinical facilities (P < .001).

Conclusion: Acta Orthopaedica et Traumatologica Turcica (AOTT) has emerged as one of the leading journals in orthopedics, with a notable increase in international publications in the last decade. Being in the Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-Expanded) database, increasing impact factor, and having low self-citation rates highlight its high standards and global impact. Acta Orthopaedica et Traumatologica Turcica (AOTT) is a valuable platform for researchers worldwide to share their work and advance orthopedic knowledge.

Level of evidence: N/A.